The microbial colonization due to medical devices in intensive care patients with special emphasis on Candida albicans.

Incidence of microbial colonization related to medical devices was prospectively studied in 101 consecutive patients treated in intensive care unit ICU. Following endotracheal intubation 50% of patients had positive bacterial culture in the trachea within 24 hours irrespective of the use of antibiotics. Positive urine cultures occurred in 33% of patients with indwelling urinary catheters. Colonization of the trachea and the urinary tract with Candida albicans usually followed a few days after the bacterial colonization. However, septic Candida albicans infections seem to be rare in intensive care patients in spite of abundant colonization in the mucous membranes. Simultaneous growth of Candida albicans in the trachea and the urinary tract was associated with poor prognosis.